So far behind ....

.... with my blogging posts, that is!  Not sure where the time has gone as I certainly meant to write at least three or four post this week for the various SALs and challenges, etc - FNSI, IHSW and TUSAL to name but three.

Strange, isn't it?  You would think that with this enforced social isolation - yes, I am bringing up the elephant in the room - that I would have more time to blog, but somehow no!  I have been haunting the supermarket for toilet paper and the local craft shops for supplies, keeping up with family and friends via Facetime, Messenger, What's App, Instagram and Facebook to name just a few. Keeping up with all the latest news on Covid-19 and all the funny jokes about it (you have to laugh, don't you, to try to keep sane?).  We have picked up a new online project at work, so I have been busy with that and cooking and gardening and, of course, reading, stitching, stitching, stitching and finding new programs to watch on the Streaming services and cuddling Furio, of course (for him it is a silver lining as I am home all day, all week now).

But, seriously, these are such extraordinary times and I am praying and thinking of all of you out there in blogland and all my wonderful stitchy friends, even if I haven't been visiting your blogs this week.  Stay safe and well, my dears and try to take joy in the simple beauties of this world.

So, that is all from me on this subject for now - watch out for my stitching updates coming later today and tomorrow, 

Stay safe and well everyone, 

hugs, 

February Miscellanea_Part Two

Monsalvat

For my girlfriend, Heather's birthday, my other dear friend, Franca and I took her on a tour of Montsalvat and then lunch at the cafe there.  

This photo below cracks us up as this gentleman and his baby photobombed us! I love the fact that we are all laughing with delight!

Montsalvat is "where the life of art is lived and a fabled past meets a vibrant present. Montsalvat is Australia’s oldest continuously active artists’ community; a place where art in all its forms is made and taught, and art’s transformative power is celebrated in exhibitions, festivals, concerts, workshops and artists’ residencies."

It is a place full of gorgeous buildings with interesting nooks and crannies, all built with recycled materials (long before the current recycle craze). Let me show you.....

If you are a fan of the Phryne Fisher Murder Mysteries, well "Murder under the Misteltoe was filmed in the Great Hall at Montsalvat which they turned into a winter chalet - snow and all!  (NB: We do not get snow in Melbourne).

Here is a scene from the episode below and you can read all about the Phryne Fisher books and the TV series if you click on the links.

Our lunch:

Here we are waiting for the tour to start, I think that Heather looks like a movie star here with her dark glasses.

Franca took this candid shot of me through a mullioned window - I wonder what I am smiling at - obviously happy thoughts!

I must say, we had a fabulous day and for a final fillip, my aunt (by marriage) actually lived at Montsalvat as a child in the (hippy) commune in the 1940s and 50s as her father came out to Australia from England to help build some of the buildings.

My Garden

I planted about eight or nine of these plants (I thought that they were hollyhocks but when I posted this pic on FB/IG, everyone else who knows far more about gardening than I do says "No" but maybe Snapdragons (?).  I am sure that I planted Hollyhocks, though!  Anyway, the point is that after months and months of waiting - really healthy plants - this is all that I have to show in the way of flowers!   So disappointed.

So, that is the end of Part Two of February Miscellanea, one more part to come (either later today or tomorrow - and there may be a nice surprise in this one).

I would love it if you read Part One, too.

Thanks for visiting and please don't forget to leave a comment as I do love a good chat,

hugs, 

Check out...

Click on the pic of the yellow roses from my garden to see my latest Friday Frolics Happy Dance.

... and click on this pic to find out all about my latest Giveaway.

hugs, 

Christmas is Coming, 2016 .... Part Two

My dear friend, Linda, has lent me this book to read for Christmas:

How Mrs Claus saved Christmas by Jeff Guinn

Doesn't the book cover look so pretty with my red and yellow roses?  Together, they make a lovely Christmas display.

On a further Christmassy note, I had a lovely seafood lunch on Sunday by the Yarra River at Waterfront Restaurant with my "Tennis" Group or Mother's Group.  We have been meeting for over twenty-six years now.  We don't really play tennis, we just used to meet as a playgroup in the club rooms of a tennis club - hence the name - but we do get teased a lot about our lack of tennis prowess and playing!

.... and to continue the Christmassy theme, I finished-finished my Baby's First Christmas Ornament - as you know, I am always very anxious about my finishing ability but I must admit, I am pretty pleased with how this one has turned out.

What do you think? Will it past muster?

On another note, we have had the 'cat wars' here as DS1 came home on Friday night (yay!  So lovely to have him home) with their cat, Nobu (DDIL is due to arrive this Saturday).

Best to say that Furio and Milo are feeling a little put out and Furio and Nobu are duking it out for who is Alpha Cat! lol!

Now, guess who is trying to get close to me whilst I am doing some authoring for a publisher??    Furio, of course!

Close!

Closer!

Ooops! Mum has got cross with me and pushed me away.  Okay, I will go stick my head in under the monitor - that should be comfortable! lol!

Okay, that is it for me for now, 

hugs, 

P.S. Sorry, no pic of Milo this post, he is very skittish with the new cat in the house - next time, I hope!